For many high school seniors, springtime – with the prom and graduation fast approaching – is full of celebration. Unfortunately, as Hingham High School students learned Thursday, celebrations involving underage drinking can have dire consequences.

By Eryn Carlson

The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

By Eryn Carlson

Posted Mar. 14, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 14, 2013 at 2:22 PM

By Eryn Carlson

Posted Mar. 14, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 14, 2013 at 2:22 PM

HINGHAM

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For many high school seniors, springtime – with the prom and graduation fast approaching – is full of celebration. Unfortunately, as Hingham High School students learned Thursday, celebrations involving underage drinking can have dire consequences.

Seniors packed the school auditorium Thursday morning to watch a mock trial put on by fellow students, Hingham police officers and prosecutors from the Plymouth County district attorney’s office. Though many schools use mock trials to teach the basics of the judicial system, the mock trial in Hingham was meant to teach the legal consequences of underage drinking.

“From my experience being here with these kids, I’ve seen you can’t just tell these kids what to do,” said Hingham police officer Tom Ford, who set up the mock trial and who has been working at the high school since September. “You need to educate, educate, educate. We need to tell them to make educated choices, and that every choice has consequence.”

On trial was an imaginary 18-year-old high-school student named Matt Welker, who illegally bought and supplied alcohol to fellow students at a house party where classmate Chip Atkins died of alcohol poisoning. Daniel Leary, a Hingham police officer, was called as a witness.

Welker was played by Hingham High senior Ricky Sullivan.

“It was a really good experience,” Sullivan said. “It’s good to spread the word to help my fellow students think about the consequences.”

Welker was charged with having a forged driver’s license, supplying alcohol to minors and keeping a disorderly house. He was sentenced to 2½ years in jail and fined $50, and his license was suspended for six months.

Hingham High School Principal Paula Girouard McCann said the mock trial was well done, and that she hoped it would resonate with students as the the prom and graduation get closer.

“They did a terrific job,“ she said. “Anything we can do to raise awareness about the consequences of underage drinking.”